The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A Ukrainian rescue worker responds at the site of a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia on Aug. 11, 2026. (Darya Nazarova / AFP via Getty Images)
Fire reported at Russian oil refinery located over 6,000 kilometers from Ukraine as Wildberries targeted again. A fire broke out at an oil refinery over 6,000 kilometers (4,000 miles) from Ukraine in Russia’s Far East, as a Voronezh Oblast logistics hub belonging to major Russian online retailer Wildberries was targeted overnight on Aug. 11, monitoring channels reported.
North Korea sending more ballistic missiles, troops to Russia as Ukraine’s drones fly farther, Zelensky says. “This is the first time in Russian history that…they cannot wage war without supplies from North Korea,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine strikes Russian petrochemical plant more than 2,000 kilometers from border, General Staff says. The depth of the strike marks “a very significant achievement” for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Aug. 10.
Russia can fire 77 missiles at Ukraine in single salvo — and plans to scale up, drone commander says. Russia aims to more than double the number of missiles it can launch in a simultaneous barrage, Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert Brovdi told the Associated Press.
Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet crashes during combat mission in Odesa, pilot safe. The pilot managed to safely eject from the plane before the crash and was transported to a medical facility, the Air Force said. The cause of the incident is being investigated.
Ukraine’s military intelligence reveals Russian missile production figures ‘exceeding monthly targets.’ Russia had already fulfilled its annual production targets for the Zircon and Oniks missiles, with 33 and 60 units manufactured in the first seven months, respectively, Vadym Skibitskyi said.
Russia’s version of Starlink deploying quicker than planned, Ukraine’s military intelligence says. “Moscow is implementing Rassvet, effectively a Russian analogue of the Starlink system. And they have begun launching it significantly faster than was envisaged in their plans,” Skibitskyi said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Russia rules out freezing war in Ukraine ahead of US envoy visits to Kyiv, Moscow. “No ‘freeze’ is possible without addressing the root causes of this crisis,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine continues strikes on Russia’s oil industry as Moscow races to expand missile production
Russia’s monthly production of key missiles is running 10–20% above target, while output of some models is even higher, Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, published Aug. 10.
Photo: Russian Defense Ministry
How Russia’s shadow fleet forced Europe back to sea
Europe’s campaign to choke off Russia’s ability to finance its war through oil revenues began with sanctions, legislation, and price caps. But as hundreds of ships helped Moscow evade those restrictions, Western governments increasingly backed those measures with aggressive maritime enforcement.
Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand /AFP via Getty Images
Russian anti-war opposition had a 5-day run
Russia’s Supreme Court, on Aug. 10, barred the country’s only anti-war party from taking part in parliamentary elections scheduled for September. The liberal Yabloko party had been approved to take part in the vote and was assigned a spot on the ballot five days prior.
Photo: Igor Ivanko / AFP via Getty Images
Human cost of war
5 killed, 21 injured as Russian attacks hit Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv. Five people were killed and 20 injured in Zaporizhzhia, while one person was reported injured in Kyiv as Russia launched ballistic missiles, guided aerial bombs, and drones across Ukraine.
Russian attacks kill at least 4, injure 50 across Ukraine over past day as KAB strikes hit Sumy. Russia launched 126 Shahed-type and other attack drones, as well as one Kh-59/69 guided aerial missile and three Banderol loitering munitions, the Air Force said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,457,740 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The figure includes 1,470 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day, according to the General Staff.
Opinions and insights
No escape from the Russian terror playbook
In the early 1950s, a group of prominent, mostly Jewish doctors from Moscow was accused of plotting to assassinate Soviet leaders on orders from the West. The accused were fired from their jobs, arrested, and tortured. Today, the Kremlin is following the same playbook.
Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty Images
You’ve made it this far, which means you care.
By supporting independent journalism, you turn that care into action. Our journalism is free and accessible to everyone. Help us keep it that way — become a member today.
International response
Austria uncovers international network circumventing EU sanctions to supply Russian cruise missiles, jets. “We will continue to take decisive action, with full international cooperation, against those actors who attempt to circumvent legal prohibitions to support the Russian arms industry,” Austrian State Secretary Jorg Leichtfried said.
‘Serious violation’ — Moldova recalls ambassador from Moscow following drone crash. “This is a direct consequence of Russia’s war, and it endangers us all,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.
In other news
Russia’s Supreme Court bars only ‘pro-peace’ party from parliamentary elections. The case was brought by the nationalist, pro-Kremlin Rodina party, which is also running in the election.
Meet the collection inspired by Kyiv’s embroidery
Two collaborations, one enduring Ukrainian tradition. Created so you can carry a piece of Kyiv with you, wherever you go.
This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details.
Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Tim Zadorozhnyy, Chris York, Polina Moroziuk, Zhenia Doluda, Kateryna Hodunova, Chris Powers, Abbey Fenbert, Lucy Pakhnyuk, and Volodymyr Ivanyshyn.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.